Tottenham linked to Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez as Erik Lamela replacement
By Gary Pearson
The rumour circus continues as we start another week, with Tottenham being linked to Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez, who is seen as a possible replacement for the out-of-favour Erik Lamela.
With less than five days until the Champions League final, Tottenham’s focus is squarely on what awaits in Madrid on Saturday. But in the crazy period in which we’re enmeshed, transfer conjecture stops for nothing.
The Italian press is covering Perez’s potential move to Spurs as intensely as Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will be covering Mohamed Salah on Saturday.
The possible move for Perez, though, is said to be predicated on whether Mauricio Pochettino remains at Spurs. The gaffer reportedly had interest in brining Perez to North London a few years ago, but it, like every other rumoured Tottenham move, fell flat on its face.
Napoli and Inter Milan are also keen on signing Perez, who made a distinct and impressive impression on Tyneside this season. The 25-year-old Spaniard bagged 12 goals in 34 Premier League appearances, good for a share of 16th in league scoring; he also added two helpers, fantastic numbers for a player whose team tangled with the prospect of relegation for large portions of the campaign.
Newcastle is asking for about £30 million for their diminutive forward, a reasonable price for a player of Perez’s age and skillset.
Lamela has confounded teammates and supporters alike during his time at Spurs. Plagued by injury, the mercurial Argentine showed glimpses of brilliance but has for the most part been a perennial disappointment.
Perez is also the type of player who might be open to the idea of playing second fiddle to Harry Kane. The Spaniard is by no means a household name yet, and his up-and-coming stature might offer some wiggle room, allowing Pochettino the chance to limit his playing time while he Kane.
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Perez and Kane, equipped with completely different attributes, could also play together in harmony, creating a symbiotic and complementary relationship.
That might be wishful thinking, though, as no other forward, since Kane came to prominence in 2014-15, has advanced his career after playing second fiddle to England’s captain in north London.